Modular power monitoring system

Abstract

A power monitoring system for monitoring characteristics of power transmitted through one or more power lines comprises a meter base and multiple option modules. The meter base includes a processor and associated circuitry for processing signals derived from sensors coupled to said power lines and producing output signals representing selected characteristics of the power transmitted through the power lines, and a housing containing the processor and the associated circuitry and having a first surface adapted to be mounted on a DIN rail, and a second surface containing multiple connectors for receiving multiple modules and electrically connecting the modules to the processor and the associated circuitry. Each of the multiple option modules includes a housing having a first surface containing a connector that is complementary with the multiple connectors in the second surface of the meter base so that any of the option modules can be plugged into any of the multiple connectors in the second surface of the meter base, and circuitry within the housing of the option module for interconnecting with the processor and the associated circuitry in the meter base. The first surface of the meter base housing may be adapted for optional mounting on the DIN rail or a flat panel, and contains a connector for mating with a complementary connector on the opposite side of the flat panel through a hole in the flat panel.

1. A power monitoring system for monitoring characteristics of power transmitted through one or more power lines, said power monitoring system comprising
 a meter base including
 a processor and associated circuitry for processing signals derived from sensors coupled to said power lines and producing output signals representing selected characteristics of said power transmitted through said power lines, and 
 a housing containing said processor and said associated circuitry and having a first surface adapted to be mounted on a support, and a second surface containing multiple connectors for receiving multiple modules and electrically connecting said modules to said processor and said associated circuitry, and 
 
 multiple option modules each of which includes
 a housing having a first surface containing a connector that is complementary with said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base so that any of said option modules can be plugged into any of said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base, and 
 circuitry within said housing of each option module for interconnecting with said processor and said associated circuitry in said meter base, 
 wherein said option modules include a display module for receiving said output signals and displaying said selected characteristics of said power transmitted through said power lines, said display including 
 a display screen and associated circuitry for receiving said output signals, and 
 a housing having a front surface surrounding said display screen, and a rear surface adapted to be mounted on a flat panel and containing a connector coupled to said circuitry associated with said display screen and mating with said display connector on said first surface of said meter module housing so that said metering module and said display can be mounted on opposite sides of the same panel and connected to each other through an aperture in said panel. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The power monitoring system of  claim 1  in which a meter base and said display include connectors for making a tethered connection between said meter base and said display. 
     
     
       3. The power monitoring system of  claim 2  in which said first surface of said meter base housing contains a connector receiving said output signals. 
     
     
       4. A power monitoring system for monitoring characteristics of power transmitted through one or more power lines, said power monitoring system comprising
 a meter base including
 a processor and associated circuitry for processing signals derived from sensors coupled to said power lines and producing output signals representing selected characteristics of said power transmitted through said power lines, and 
 a housing containing said processor and said associated circuitry and having a first surface adapted to be mounted on a support, and a second surface containing multiple connectors for receiving multiple modules and electrically connecting said modules to said processor and said associated circuitry, and 
 
 multiple option modules each of which includes
 a housing having a first surface containing a connector that is complementary with said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base so that any of said option modules can be plugged into any of said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base, and 
 circuitry within said housing of each option module for interconnecting with said processor and said associated circuitry in said meter base, 
 
 wherein said meter base housing and said option module housings have a dimension that is an integer multiple of a predetermined dimension, so that said housings are all compatible and interchangeable with associated equipment having horizontal dimensions that are integer multiples of said predetermined dimension. 
 
     
     
       5. The power monitoring system of  claim 4  in which said first surface of said meter base housing is adapted for optional mounting on DIN rail or a flat panel, and contains a connector for mating with a complementary connector on the opposite side of said flat panel through a hole in said flat panel, or mating with a complementary connector on said DIN rail. 
     
     
       6. A power monitoring system for monitoring characteristics of power transmitted through one or more power lines, said power monitoring system comprising
 a meter base including
 a processor and associated circuitry for processing signals derived from sensors coupled to said power lines and producing output signals representing selected characteristics of said power transmitted through said power lines, 
 a housing containing said processor and said associated circuitry and having a first surface adapted to be mounted on a support, and a second surface containing multiple connectors for receiving multiple modules and electrically connecting said modules to said processor and said associated circuitry, and 
 
 multiple option modules each of which includes
 a housing having a first surface containing a connector that is complementary with said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base so that any of said option modules can be plugged into any of said multiple connectors in said second surface of said meter base, and 
 circuitry within said housing of each option module for interconnecting with said processor and said associated circuitry in said meter base, and 
 
 a current-voltage module comprising 
 a housing, 
 at least one pair of terminals mounted on said housing for connecting said housing to said power lines, 
 a voltage sensor contained in said housing and coupled to said terminals for producing a signal representing the voltage across said power lines, 
 a current sensor contained in said housing and coupled to said terminals for producing a signal representing the current carried by said power lines, 
 analog-to-digital converters contained in said housing and receiving said voltage and current signals for producing corresponding digital signals, and 
 at least one digital signal output terminal receiving said corresponding digital signals from said analog-to-digital converters for supplying said digital signals to said processor for analyzing those digital signals. 
 
     
     
       7. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  in which said current-voltage module further includes circuitry for converting an AC voltage on said power line to a low-voltage DC power output. 
     
     
       8. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  in which said current-voltage module housing includes a surface forming a channel that is sized and shaped to mate with a complementary DIN rail for mounting said current-voltage module housing on said DIN rail. 
     
     
       9. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  which includes multiple voltage sensors, current sensors and analog-to-digital converters, and said multiple analog-to-digital converters are daisy-chained to said digital signal output terminal to provide a serial output containing the outputs of all of said multiple analog-to-digital converters. 
     
     
       10. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  in which said current sensor is a current transformer, and which further includes a burden resistor for said current transformer. 
     
     
       11. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  in which said current-voltage module includes a voltage protection device for protecting the circuitry in said current-voltage module from voltage transients on said power lines. 
     
     
       12. The power monitoring system of  claim 6  in which said current-voltage module is electrically coupled to, but physically separate from, said meter base.